The fall

Chapter 41

Blake

I finally dropped to my knees infront of her, my heart pounding so hard it hurt. Yet she didn't move this time, she just stared at me, tears silently streaming down her face—like she'd kept all that sadness in for so long. I hesitated to pull her towards me, but I needed to know if she was real.

I then immediately pulled her into my arms. She didn't resist me touching her this time. She soon clung to me like I was the only thing keeping her from drowning as I spoke. "I'm here. I've got you."

"You're safe now," I murmured, one hand reaching and cradling the back of her head as the other wrapped around her trembling body. "You're safe." Although her sobs didn't stop so I only continued. "I thought I lost you, Penelope," my voice was firmer this time, though it shook with emotion.

She buried her face in my chest, her fingers now clutching at my uniform. "I'm sorry," she choked out between sobs.

Her apology made my chest tighten, but I kept my voice steady. "You don't need to be sorry. Not for anything."

"Yes, I do," She whispered, her voice cracking. She pulled back just enough to look at me, her eyes filled with anguish. "Blake—I betrayed you. I betrayed Sylvan by breaking the rules. I took your and Lucians 's father away. I killed him."

The words hit me like a punch in the gut, but not the way she thought they would. I didn't care about my father nor if she was a traitor because all I want is her. My jaw clenched at her words, and I cupped her face in my hands, forcing her to look at me.

"Listen to me," I said, my voice low and unyielding. "I don't care about that. Do you hear me? I. Don't. Care."

"But I—" she started.

"No," I cut her off, shaking my head. "I don't care what you've done, Penelope. I don't care about my father. None of that matters. What matters is that you're here, alive. That's all I care about."

She tried to turn her head away, but I held her steady. "And you're not the only one who's guilty," I said, my voice softening but still firm. "I lied to you for years, Pen, I hid the truth about my father's plans because I was too much of a coward to stand up to my father."

Her tears kept falling silently.

"So don't sit here and try to take all the blame," I continued. "Because I hurt you too." Her breath hitched, and she stared at me, wide-eyed and silent. Gently, I wiped the remaining tears from her cheeks, brushing her crimson hair out of her face. "Do you understand?" I murmur.

Her body still trembled. I pulled her hood up, covering her hair from any passengers, and wrapped my arms around her again.

"You're coming home," I said firmly, leaving no room for argument. "I'm taking you back, where you belong. You don't have to be afraid anymore."

She stiffened in my arms, her fingers tightening on my uniform. "I can't," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"What do you mean, you can't?" I asked, leaning slightly back to look at her.

She shook her head, panic flashing in her eyes. "I can't, Blake. They'll find me."

"Who?" I demanded, my protective instincts kicking into overdrive.

Her hand went to her neck, trembling as she touched the faint glowing collar. "Valort." She whispered. "They put this on me. It suppresses my powers and free will, they're tracking me. If I leave without their notice, they'll know. And If they know..." Her voice broke, and she shuddered violently.

What the actual fuck.

My gaze drifted and locked on the collar, a wave of rage surged though me. My hands fell and clenched into fists at my sides, and it took everything I had to keep my voice steady.

"They did this to you?" I asked, needing more clarification. My voice was sharper than I intended. I reached to touch the collar and she flinched, I immediately softened. "I'm sorry," I said quickly. "I didn't mean to scare you."

She looked away, shaking her head slightly. "No, I'm sorry. It's a new reflex."

I reached out and gently tilted her chin back toward me. "Stop apologizing," I stated. "This. What has already happened—isn't your fault. None of this is your fault."

"I'll get it off," I said, my voice filled with quiet determination. "I'll figure it out, Penelope. We'll figure it out. I'll get you free, and I'll bring you home. I promise."

New tears started swelling up in her eyes, but this time I caught them, brushing them away with my thumb. I soon pulled her closer, cradling her protectively, and pressed my chin against the top of her head. "I love you and nothing is going to change that."